OKC FRIDAY Vol. 59 No. 3 • One Section • 12 pages • May 30, 2025
$1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 51 years
Local artists volunteer to create mural at animal shelter
Thunder stars visit Cleats 4 Kids NBA MVP Shai GilgeousAlexander, with superstar Luguentz Dort, center, stopped by Cleats 4 Kids to visit with CEO Stacy McDaniel, left, and her daughter Meghan McDaniel, right. The OKC Thunder looked to close out their Western Conference final series against Minnesota last Wednesday in Game 5 at Paycom Center. OKC held a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, following a 128-126 win over the Timberwolves in Game 4 on Monday. If necessary, Game 6 is Friday at Minnesota.
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
tion, followed by dinner and the awards program at 7 p.m., and concludes with an After-Party. This year’s event co-chairsmen are Jim Couch and Deborah McAuliffe Senner. Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership President & CEO Jennifer Nakayama delivers the State of Downtown Address. “Downtown Oklahoma City has been shaped by bold visionaries, and this year’s honorees each embody that spirit,” said 2025 Co-Chairman Couch.
Volunteers with the Village Arts Association spent a recent Saturday beautifying The Village Animal Welfare complex by painting a mural to bring a wave of color, creativity and community to the local shelter. The mural was a collaborative effort between The Village Animal Welfare Department and The Village Arts Association (TVAA), a newly-formed non-profit committed to enriching the city through art. The project was spearheaded by Tara Ayers, artist outreach director for TVAA, and Tyler Weese, animal welfare supervisor at The Village Animal Shelter. “The Village Arts Association collaborated with amazing volunteers to beautify The Village Animal Welfare with a stunning new mural,” said Audrey Sousa, TVAA children’s outreach director. “The results are beautiful! “We want to extend a very special thank you to Alex Nash, Elora Ayers, Patti Rubin, Tara Ayers, Mark Ayers and Erin Varvel for their hard work on the mural,” she said. “It truly ‘takes a village,’ and we are very proud to be a part of The Village.” “The mural was created to beautify the shelter’s surroundings and reflect a sense of peace and joy,” said Tyler Weese with the City of The Village. “The TVAA led the project, supported by talented local artists and generous volunteers who donated their time and materials. The end result reminds us of a happy place, bringing positive energy to visitors, staff, and animals.” The shelter, located at 1701 NW 115, is next to the campus of Heritage Hall School. The
See AWARDS, Page 3
See VILLAGE, Page 13
Four to be honored at Dean A. McGee awards Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership is to honor four visionary leaders whose extraordinary contributions have helped shape the future of downtown Oklahoma City at the 38th annual Dean A. McGee Awards on Friday, Aug. 22, at The Skirvin Hilton Hotel located at 1 Park Ave. in Oklahoma City. Mark Beffort is the Dean A. McGee Award honoree in recognition of his lifetime of transformative leadership and investment in downtown Oklahoma City. Chad Huntington is to
receive the Stanley Draper Award for his outstanding contributions to enhancing the visitor experience and cultural vitality of the Bricktown area. Richard McKown is to be presented with the Neal Horton Award for his visionary role in driving downtown revitalization. The President’s Award is to be awarded posthumously to Gene Rainbolt, celebrating his lasting legacy of civic and economic leadership. The 2025 Dean A. McGee Awards is a black-tie event beginning with a 6 p.m. recep-
Red, Whites and Brews benefits Sanctuary Women
Sue Newberger and Archbishop Paul Coakley enjoy the drinks and food at a past Reds, Whites and Brews.
FRIDAY’s Cat of the Week
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City is proud to present the 16th Annual Reds, Whites and Brews on Thursday, July 24, 6-10 p.m. at the historic OKC Farmers Public Market at 311 South Klein Avenue in Oklahoma City. This vibrant summer event brings together friends, neighbors and community supporters for an evening filled with wine and beer tastings, live music and delicious bites from some of OKC’s best local spots. Whether you enjoy a flavor-
ful red wine or a refreshing brew, there is something for everyone. New this year, Catholic Charities is excited to welcome CREAOKE, Chicago’s No. 1 karaoke host, for an unforgettable karaoke experience. Step up to the mic and compete for a cash prize or enjoy the show as others take the stage. It is sure to be a highlight of the night. Most importantly, your participation makes a difference. All proceeds support the Sanctuary Women’s Development Centers in Oklahoma City and Norman.
These centers provide a safe and empowering environment for women and children facing homelessness, offering services like case management, job assistance, and housing support. Gather your friends, warm up your vocals, and join in an evening of fun, flavor and impact. Reserve your tickets today and consider supporting the event as a sponsor. “Together we can lift voices, raise glasses and bring hope to those who need it most,” organizers said.
Inside today: OKC FRIDAY Magazine, Dressed for Dinner Beauty, Brains and Grace
Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland had a cat named Dinah. Kim and Mike Joseph’s cat is named Alice. Some people think that the training process for a cat is difficult, but Alice trains us regularly. Of course, we're all mad here. Email Pet of the Week submissions with complete descriptions to: rose@okcfriday.com. A Salute to the Class of 2025 Special publication featuring All-Star Scholars and Leaders from our 11 Fridayland schools.